Electric Car Experiences

[Watth]

Hey, I recently got a Renault Zoé (For those playing at home, it's a 2017 41 kW.h Q90). For the moment, it's great ! Mostly charging at home (slow 2.2 kW) or on public chargers (22 kW).

[coppice]

Hey, I recently got a Renault Zoé (For those playing at home, it's a 2017 41 kW.h Q90). For the moment, it's great ! Mostly charging at home (slow 2.2 kW) or on public chargers (22 kW).

I looked inside one of those for the first time last week. Its surprisingly roomy length wise, but uncomfortably narrow. Has it been designed that narrow to keep it's drag down, because another 100mm to 150mm of width would make it a much more comfortable car.

[richard.cs]

I hadn't thought the Zoe particularly narrow, feels pretty much the same as any other modern car of that general style to me (i.e. kinda wide compared to the 90s/early 2000s cars I grew up with).

[joule]

my experience has been great



I love that it's easy to fix and i can put my e trike in it

[jh15]

What needs to be fixed all the time?

zip tied license plate hehe. In my first year of driving,  I got pulled over in mt parent;s car for wired on, not bolted plate, a shock hanging in the breeze (a mechanic friend had replaced them days before.

Not sure if in my state, I could have zip tied a plate to my Tesla S. Biggest repair, Tesla did it in my driveway was the front bracket fell off on the highway after a local shop repainted the bumper after a valet parker bashed it up.
     What needs fixing on your electric?
4 years, out of warranty now. Let the fun begin. (wallet quivering).

[not1xor1]

Hey, I recently got a Renault Zoé (For those playing at home, it's a 2017 41 kW.h Q90). For the moment, it's great ! Mostly charging at home (slow 2.2 kW) or on public chargers (22 kW).

I looked inside one of those for the first time last week. Its surprisingly roomy length wise, but uncomfortably narrow. Has it been designed that narrow to keep it's drag down, because another 100mm to 150mm of width would make it a much more comfortable car.

I got a new ZOE (R110 zen - 52kWh) last month. It is a bit wider and longer than my previous Honda Jazz but I've got the feeling that the ZOE is less roomy inside.

I've driven it for just 300kms, but so far looks great and ... eats just 12,9kWh/100km... not so hungry... 
I charged it just once at 230VAC 10A (Heidelberg wall box).

Now I'd like to find a solution for the proximity key security (lack of)... any idea? Enclose it in a Faraday cage ? 

[richard.cs]

On my Zoe (2016) if you lock it with the button it disables the proximity stuff until you start the car with the key in the slot.

[not1xor1]

On my Zoe (2016) if you lock it with the button it disables the proximity stuff until you start the car with the key in the slot.

The new ZOE has no button on the door handle (unless you are referring to the buttons on the key-card).
Anyway as far as I can remember one can still disable the proximity function (I've to check the manual yet).

Unless I've misunderstood that, while a proximity key hack (Relay Station Attack) requires two people and allows to start the car, cloning the open/close door code might be even simpler (but it would be more difficult to start the car).

In any case I've seen that even an aluminium foil makes the proximity key unable to open the car.
Probably the best solution depends on the circumstances.

[richard.cs]

On my Zoe (2016) if you lock it with the button it disables the proximity stuff until you start the car with the key in the slot.

The new ZOE has no button on the door handle (unless you are referring to the buttons on the key-card).
Anyway as far as I can remember one can still disable the proximity function (I've to check the manual yet).

Sorry, I wasn't very clear, on the older Zoe if you use the lock button on the remote to lock the car, it temporarily disables proximity. This is documented in the manual. On my Zoe the remote has 4 buttons and an emergency key - lock, unlock, A/C, and charge-flap.

I guess the new Zoe replaces the door handle button with some sort of capacitive touch sensor but is otherwise similar?

[not1xor1]

Sorry, I wasn't very clear, on the older Zoe if you use the lock button on the remote to lock the car, it temporarily disables proximity. This is documented in the manual. On my Zoe the remote has 4 buttons and an emergency key - lock, unlock, A/C, and charge-flap.

I guess the new Zoe replaces the door handle button with some sort of capacitive touch sensor but is otherwise similar?

The new remote has unlock, lock, switch on car lights, trunk-unlock buttons.
I found the manual has several errors and/or is outdated... e.g.

press twice the lock button to open the car and close the windows 

I've not tried yet, but that makes no sense... they probably meant close the car and the windows...
The unlock button should also work to disengage the charge cable.
I've not got enough time to test all the car features yet...

[richard.cs]

I wonder if it's a translation problem, I've noticed a few of those (perverse English-language warning messages for example). Surprising for such a major manufacturer. Perhaps it's worth seeing if the French section of the manual is clearer?

[not1xor1]

I wonder if it's a translation problem, I've noticed a few of those (perverse English-language warning messages for example). Surprising for such a major manufacturer. Perhaps it's worth seeing if the French section of the manual is clearer?

I googled for an updated manual but there is none. Besides that I could not find any way to close the car windows when locking the car. A double press on the lock button does nothing.

I've ordered the renault burglar arlarm and rear view camera accessories. I'd better check everything and make a list of the ineffective features so when I'll bring the car to the dealer to assemble those accessories and will ask them what is wrong.

OK I got the English manual (they gave me the Italian one of course):

Pressing the 4 button twice locks the
vehicle and enables the closure of the
front and rear windows (depending on
the vehicle).

so I guess my ZOE (R110 ZEN) just lacks the windows closure feature...

[M0HZH]

Driving a 2021 Renault Captur E-Tech 160 now, which is a plug-in hybrid: 1.6 petrol engine, two EV motors and a 9.6kWh battery. The EV range is about 30 miles but it's quite efficient in hybrid mode, doing 50-55mpg. As a comparison, in similar scenarios my previous car (BMW 318d) did around 45mpg and the other car (BMW 335i convertible) does about 15mpg .

Charging time is about 3 hours which is not ideal, especially as I can't charge at home and public chargers around here aren't properly managed (=most don't work).

As for it being a Renault, you can expect the typical "cheap" feel, the most frustrating being the slooooow touchscreen system. Boot space is small but at least the driving position is OK even for a big guy like me (1m97 or 6'5" for those playing along in non metric system countries).

[richard.cs]

...a 9.6kWh battery. The EV range is about 30 miles...
Charging time is about 3 hours which is not ideal...

30 miles on a 9.6 kWh battery feels a little low to me, but it depends how you drive I guess. 3 hour charging would imply charging at about 3 kW? Really, not even 7 kW? That's a bit pants, fine for overnight for those people who can but as you say pretty poor for making use of public chargers.

the most frustrating being the slooooow touchscreen system.

Still?! There was me thinking the more recent Renaults would have sorted this by now.

[M0HZH]

Well, the "pure EV" range of 30 miles is really urban range, as over 40mph (I think) the ICE kicks in anyway and it goes in hybrid mode. It is charging at 3.6kW unfortunately, not ideal as most public chargers around here suport 7kW. It also has a Sport mode where the ICE acts as a generator and tries to charge the battery as much as possible, even idles at considerably higher rpm.

Yes, the touchscreen still slow. It could use a major software update also, doesn't even remember important settings / preferences for different users (like mirror position, dashboard arrangement, sound settings etc), important settings are hidden or not available (like a button to mute the Satnav voice), some physical buttons don't work until the system has fully booted up etc etc.

[Gyro]

It I don't know if Renault have been striving for cost savings or weight saving but it looks as if they have gone a little too far on the ZOE... https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2021-12-10/car-crash-tests-sees-zero-rating-for-renault-model-but-how-safe-is-your-car

[M0HZH]

Euro NCAP safety ratings are extremely misleading lately. They now give points in 4 areas and the overall score is based on the worst of all 4.

Specifically, Zoe got an average score in 3 areas but only 14% for Safety Assist, because it doesn't have auto-braking, lane assist, a speed limit warning/limiter in the menus or rear passenger seatbelt reminder.

[Gyro]

I agree, but deleting a critical airbag is rather dumb when the previous model scored 5 stars. https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/renault-zoe-slated-for-poor-safety-score/

Sorry, a bit of a diversion, but it triggered a memory from the news the other day. The story also seems to indicate that the (Renault owned) Dacia Spring may be the same car as the ZOE, but with that airbag retained [Edit... so some hope for a recall and retrofit].

[Watth]

I agree, but deleting a critical airbag is rather dumb when the previous model scored 5 stars. https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/renault-zoe-slated-for-poor-safety-score/

Sorry, a bit of a diversion, but it triggered a memory from the news the other day. The story also seems to indicate that the (Renault owned) Dacia Spring may be the same car as the ZOE, but with that airbag retained [Edit... so some hope for a recall and retrofit].

I see you scored the part about the Dacia, because having drive-tested it I can confirm these are two very different vehicles.

[kaz911]

Electric chain saws work very well until you accidentally cut the power cord.  I have one for use around my property.  Prefer it over the gas one.  Electric and battery chain saws will never replace electric.  I can’t see someone 100 feet up a tree with a 100 foot extension cord.  Or your 100 feet up a tree when the battery on your chain saw dies.   Other issue with electric chain saws is I just can’t seem to find an outlet in the wooded part of my property.

Issue with a broom is the just don’t work as well or as quickly as a leaf blower.  I have an electric leaf blower and in 5 minutes I can clean an area that would take 45 minutes to sweep.  While I’m not a fan of the noisy gas powered ones, I do understand there usefulness.

I have the Milwaukee electric "garden" tools including chain saw head. It runs for about 1 to 1 1/2 hour on an old 5Ah Milwaukee battery. It has been used to prune my neighbours lovely leylandii trees hanging over my garden wall. I'm very happy with it.

[boffin]

I agree, but deleting a critical airbag is rather dumb when the previous model scored 5 stars. https://www.thecarexpert.co.uk/renault-zoe-slated-for-poor-safety-score/

Sorry, a bit of a diversion, but it triggered a memory from the news the other day. The story also seems to indicate that the (Renault owned) Dacia Spring may be the same car as the ZOE, but with that airbag retained [Edit... so some hope for a recall and retrofit].

I see you scored the part about the Dacia, because having drive-tested it I can confirm these are two very different vehicles.

And it couldn't have been "GREAT NEWS" unless it was about the Sandero

[tautech]

It seems not all are pleased with their EV's:

[SilverSolder]

It seems not all are pleased with their EV's:

Finnish Widlarization? 

[tautech]

It seems not all are pleased with their EV's:

Finnish Widlarization? 

At 20,000 Euro for a new battery to replace the dud one, well what would you do ? 

[SilverSolder]

It seems not all are pleased with their EV's:

Finnish Widlarization? 

At 20,000 Euro for a new battery to replace the dud one, well what would you do ? 

Somehow, a tankful of bad fuel seems a little cheaper to fix...

The whole longevity issue is a "thing", that younger people probably won't appreciate until they've experienced it.  For example, I like it when my 30 year old leaf blower ($50 Craigslist find) with a 5hp Briggs starts on the first pull (it is just new enough to have electronic ignition, which was a big advance for small engines), and performs like a champ...   How will a 30 year old Lithium Ion implement perform, one wonders?